Cross-over bag clip for a wire rack for bags

ABSTRACT

A bag clip for retaining bags to a frame having a top member spaced from the ground, each bag clip having two adjacent windings angled in respect to each other creating a crossover that holds the bags to the frame by a pinching contact.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bag clip utilized with a wire rack designedto hold bags for filling. A typical use would include a holder for a bagused for bagging leaves and other lawn debris.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wire racks have been utilized to support bags for many years. Typically,these wire racks are sturdy devices utilized in the bagging to help aconsumer bag lawn and garden debris at the owner's home. Wire racks arealso used in other industrial and agricultural applications in order tosupport bags in their upright position for filling. This includesgrocery checkout bagging and other commercial applications.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this present invention to provide a quick disconnectfor a trash bag rack.

It is another object of this present invention to simplify theconnection of trash bags to a retention rack.

It is still another object of this invention to facilitate re-cycling oflawn debris.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a sturdywire rack for trash bags.

It is still another object of the present invention to simplify thedesign of wire racks.

It is a further object of the present invention to facilitate thecollection of leaves and other lawn debris.

Other objects and a more complete understanding of the invention may behad by referring to the following description and drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation, and advantages of the presently disclosedpreferred embodiment of the invention will become apparent whenconsideration of the following description is taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the bag clipof this application;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wire rack incorporating the inventionof the application and shown in a four clip configuration to be used bya consumer;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred clip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the clip of FIG. 3 and is taken generally fromlines 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the preferred clip and is taken generally fromlines 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a further side view of the preferred clip and is takengenerally from lines 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the rack of FIG. 2 in a collapsed condition;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the collapsed rack of FIG. 7 and is takengenerally from lines 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of the support utilized between the topand base to the sides of the rack of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 10 is a side view like FIG. 3 of an alternative clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sturdy bag clip for supporting trash bags.

The invention will be described in its preferred embodiment of a clip 12for a wire rack for use with recycling trash bags 100 such as areutilized in consumer collection of leaves and other lawn debris (seeFIG. 2). (Note the bag 100 is slightly displaced from the clips 12 forclarity. The operative position of the top of the bag 100 to the clip 12is shown in FIGS. 3, 10.)

Multiple clips are typically utilized to hold a trash bag 100 to therack. Each clip 12 shown has contact points to hold the paper or plasticmaterial 100. The preferred bags typically are paper. Upon insertion ofthe material into the clip 12, the pinching action of the sides of theclip retains such material within the clip without the necessity offurther consumer action. The crossover cooperation of the coil 13 withthe connection extensions serves to retain the bag material within suchclip by a pinching action. The crossover further extends the servicelife of the clips 12. The cooperation of adjoining clips 12 reduces theseparation of the material 100 from any individual clip perpendicular tothe axis thereof. Preferably, the initial contact with the clip 12 isspaced from the tip 29 of the clip to allow for preliminary guidance ofthe bag material while the later crossover 16 maximizes the friction ofthe material to such clip. In addition, the opening 37 between the sides18, 19 of the clip allows for the physical contact between theconsumer's fingers and the bag material being associated with the wirerack within any individual clip. This guides the consumer into properuse of the wire rack. This is further aided by the top frame 40 of thewire rack, which frame separates the user's fingers at the top of thejoining motion to the clip.

One clip rack would serve to hold the bag in place; two clips wouldorient the bag, for example in respect to an opening therein; threeclips would define a planar triangular opening; while four clips woulddefine a rectangular opening. More clips could be utilized if desired.The rack, thus, cooperates with the clip to hold the bag in position.

The rack 10 shown is a wire rack having a side 11, a base 13, and a top14 (FIGS. 2, 7, 8, 9).

The side 11 is designed to retain the top 14 of the wire rack 10 aspaced distance from the ground substantially parallel thereto. In thepreferred embodiment disclosed, this is accomplished by supporting thetop 14 (later described) a fixed distance from the ground which distanceis substantially equal to the length of the open paper bag to beutilized with the wire rack. A ratio of 90-110% could be utilized ifsuitable for this purpose.

The side 11 is preferably simple in overall shape and mirror imagedabout its centerline in order to lower the manufacturing costs for therack by minimizing the number of construction jigs as well as easing theassembly of the rack. It is preferred that the side 11 be formed out ofa unitary piece of bent rod, both to facilitate manufacture and inaddition to remove any concern for weld breakage and other destructivedisassembly of the side. It is further preferred that a part of the top14 and base 13 (as later described) be integrally formed with the sideso as to integrate the rack 10 with as few pieces as possible.

The preferred side 11 is formed of a single piece of unitary wire bentinto substantially a rectangular shape. The side has a first upright 21and a second upright 22 interconnected at the top by a top portion 23and at the bottom by a bottom portion 24.

In the preferred embodiment shown, there is a butt weld joint 27 in oneupright of the wires so as to provide for an integral side 11 (inupright 21 in the embodiment disclosed).

The first upright 21 and second upright 22 are located substantially ina single plane with the top portion 23 and bottom portion 24 slightlyoffset therefrom (see FIGS. 2, 9).

In the preferred embodiment disclosed, the top and bottom portions 23,24 extend off the two ends of the uprights at a backward angle(approximately 25° shown in FIG. 9 although the angle could vary from15-45°). This angle at the very top and the very bottom of the first andsecond uprights 21, 22 provides an offset in order to displace the topportion 23 and the bottom portion 24 slightly outwards from acontinuation of the longitudinal axis of each upright. This reduces thenumber of separate parts making up the rack 10 by providing an availableportion for the physical support for the top 14 and base 13,respectively.

The support for the top 14 and base 13 in addition uses stop pieces 25,26 extending between upright 21 and upright 22 substantially parallel tothe top portion 23 and bottom portion 24 slightly spaced therefromrespectively. These stop pieces 25, 26 form ledges on which the top 14and base 13 rest in their extended use position, allowing acantilever-type physical support between the single side 11 and such top14 and base 13 (see FIG. 9). While the stop pieces 25, 26 can besegmented or self-formed in each side (this latter, for example, by anintegral sideways inwardly extending “U” bend in each upright replacingthe stop pieces), it is preferred that a single rod serves both sides.This design provides simplicity, as well as a comfortable handle formoving the rack.

The dimensions of the side 11 are chosen in view of the bag to beutilized with the rack (i.e., the length of the uprights 21, 22 aid todefine the operational height of the rack 10 while the top portion 23and bottom portion 24 define the operational width of the rack 10).

The base 13 serves to physically support the side 11 (and remainder ofthe rack 10) to the ground.

The preferred base 13 consists of two parallel sides 30, 31 joined by anend cross wire piece 35. An alternative base would be two longitudinalextensions of the sides 21, 22 of the rack 10 for use as prongs forpressing into the grass soil with which the alternative rack 10 is to beutilized (see FIGS. 7, 8 dotted lines at 36).

The primary purpose of the parallel sides 30, 31 is to provide aphysical support for the rack 10 as well as connecting the end crosswire piece 35 to the side 11 of the rack 10. In the preferred embodimentshown, the base 13 connection is provided by tip end loops having adiameter substantially equal to that of the bottom portion 24 of theside 11 (see the tip end loop 32 in FIG. 9 for the similarinterconnection design utilized between both the top 14 and base 13 tothe side 11 of the rack 10). The purpose of the end cross piece 35 is toform the outer end of the base 13. The end cross piece 35 also spacesthe two parallel sides 30, 31 by a distance approximately equal to thatof the side uprights 21, 22. This construction provides for therectangular shape of the preferred base.

The use of two parallel sides 30, 31 integral with the end cross wirepiece 35 is again preferred due to the structural simplicity andphysical strength of the design. It also provided some external supportfor the trash bag utilized with the rack. The identity and nature of thecross piece 35 is not critical as long as this function is performed.

The top 14 serves to physically support the top of the trash bag 100 inaddition to spacing the sides of such bag a certain distance apart. Thetop 14 also provides a handy fill opening for, and physical protectionof, the open top of the trash bag 100.

The preferred top 14 disclosed includes a top frame 40 and bag clips 12(the bag clips 12 provide the primary support for the bags to beutilized with the rack as later disclosed).

The top frame 40 serves to provide the protected fill hole for the trashbag 100 in addition to providing the physical location of the bag clips12.

A fill hole 41 in the top frame 40 provides for holding the opening forthe trash bag 100 about its edges. The bag clips 12 retain the top ofthe trash bag to the top frame 40.

The opening for the trash bag occurs because of the interconnection ofthe top, open end of the trash bag 100 to the bag clips 12. As the bagclips 12 are physically separated and spaced in respect to each other,they cooperate to retain the top of the trash bag open. The bag clips 12thus serve to physically hold the material that forms the top walls ofsuch bag in its proper, open position relative to the remainder of thebag rack 10.

The preferred bag clip 12 shown is formed of a coil 13 having twoconnection extensions 15 extending off of the sides 18, 19 thereof(FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6). In the preferred embodiment disclosed, there arefirst 27 and second 28 windings in the coil, which windings are angled34 in respect to each other in order to create an opening 37 toinitially guide the top of a trash bag into its retention position inrespect to the bag clip 12 (FIG. 6). In this operation, the sides 18, 19of the clip 12 serve to guide the user's fingers (typically forefingerand thumb) to facilitate the process of engaging the trash bag with theclips 12. This movement also inherently aligns the top of the bag withthe bag clips 12. The distance 36 between the sides 18, 19 arepreferably greater than the width of the user's fingers so as to allowfor the gripping of the bag initially threaded into the opening 37 ofeach coil 13.

The first 27 and second 28 windings of the clips 12 also crossover attwo spaced points so as to create two pinching locations of contact 46,47 for each coil 13. These two pinch points 46, 47 together create afriction contact to retain the bag material in the clip 12 by acompression type force. These pinching locations thus serve to retainthe bag material in respect to the top frame 40 of the wire rack 10. Dueto the resilient reaction between the two windings 27, 28 of each clip,the crossovers retain the top of the trash bag to the rack 10.

The outer ends of the windings 27, 28 cooperate at the tip 29 of theclip 12 in order to form an opening 37 into which the material of thetrash bag may be inserted by the user. In the preferred embodimentdisclosed, the bottom opening is due to the angling of two planarwindings 27, 28. This angling 34 is preferred because it simultaneouslycauses the two pinch points 46, 47 and the opening 37 to be created. Itis noted that due to the inherent pressure between the two windings 27,28 of the coil 13, the pinch point retention will be maintained for thelife of the rack.

The angling of the two windings 27, 28 serves to guide and then retainthe bag material in respect to the top frame of the rack 10. The spacingof the sides 18, 19 of the clip 12 together with the crossover reducestearing by spreading out the forces over a distance as well aseliminating a need to re-tension or re-align the bag clip 12 during itsservice life.

The clip 12 has at least one extension section 53, 54 extendingtangentially of off the first 27 and second 28 windings respectivelyserve to attach the bag clips 12 to the top 14 of the wire rack 10. Inthe preferred embodiment disclosed, this attachment is provided for bywelding the top ends 55, 56 of the extensions 53, 54 of the clip 12 tothe top frame 40 in a single plane at two laterally spaced locations foreach of the bag clips 12 (see FIG. 4). This two location weldingsecurely connects the clip 12 to the side pieces 42, 43 of the rack 10against tension forces as well as lateral and longitudinal forces. Italso reinforces the pinch points 46, 47.

In the preferred embodiment disclosed, the extension sections 53, 54 areeach straight sections which are spot welded to the top frame 40 tosecurely interconnect the bag clip 12 to the top of the rack 10 (topframe 40 side pieces 42, 43 shown). Note that due to the connection ofthe extension sections 53, 54 in a single plane to the frame 40, thetension between the windings 27, 28 at the crossovers 46, 47 ismaintained for the service life of the rack without the need ofadjustment.

In the preferred embodiment disclosed, the coil 13 is substantially 1.1″in diameter. The extension sections 53, 54 are each substantially 0.67″long extending tangentially in respect to each coil. The clip materialwire itself is some 0.1″ in diameter. The first 27 and second 28windings are angled in respect to each other over their full diameter.In the embodiment disclosed, this produces a 0.06″ opening 37 at thebottom thereof. It is noted that the two-point contact facilitates theinitial manufacture of the coil 12 by reducing the need to keep thespacing between the two adjacent coils at a constant exact dimension (aswould be needed with a parallel orientation between adjoining windings).

The dimensions of the wire rack should substantially match the heightand width and length of the bag to be utilized with the rack 10. Forexample, a particular paper bag has an opening 12″ wide by 16″ deep by22″ high. The 16″ and 12″ would define the base 13 and top 14 dimensionsof the rack, while the 22″ would define the side dimensions of the rack.

It is preferred that the rack 10 have a height within the range of 12″to 36″, a width within the range of 8″ to 20″, and a depth within therange of 5″ to 20″. It is further preferred that the dimensions of therack 10 substantially match those of the bag. It is further preferredthat the height of the top of the bag clips 50 be substantially equal tothe height of the bag. This allows the bag itself to provide part of thesupport of the items within the trash bag.

To use the rack 10, one moves the top 14 and base 13 approximately 270°in respect to the plane of the side 11 of the rack 10. The base 13 isthen placed on the ground. At this time, the trash bag to be utilizedwith the rack 10 is opened and its top edges are pulled into the bagclips 12, one clip at a time. The bag can then be filled through the bagopening 40. Upon the completion of filling the bag, one removes the bagfrom the rack 10, one clip at a time. The bagged material is thenamenable to a further operation. On completion of all bagging, the wirerack 10 is collapsed back into its compact storage position and put awayfor use at a later time. With a bag in the wire rack 10, the rack isbeing utilized for its intended purpose.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred embodimentwith a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood thatnumerous changes can be made without deviating from the invention ashereinafter claimed.

For example, the bag clips 12 are shown (FIG. 3) having two extensionsections 53, 54 extending tangentially off of the coil windings 27, 28.The welding of these sections 53, 54 in turn holds the clip 12 to thewire rack 10. An alternative would be to weld the top of the coil 13directly to the wire rack 10 (for example, at two spaced locations 88,89 along the circumference directly to the top frame 40 (see FIG. 10).The two spaced extension sections may or may not be omitted in thisembodiment.

An additional example, the clip 12 is shown (FIG. 3) as a circle. Analternative would be to reduce the spacing 36 of the clip, thus toprovide a more oval clip (see FIG. 10).

An additional example, the bag clips 12 can be utilized with differingracks. An example of such a rack is that contained in U.S. Pat. No.5,303,889 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,944, the contents of which are includedby reference. Other changes can also be made.

Other modifications are also possible.

1. A bag clip connection for a wire rack for holding bags, the bag clipconnection comprising the wire rack including a top frame and a side tosupport the top frame in respect to a ground surface, said top framebeing substantially perpendicular to said side of the wire rack, a bagclip, said bag clip being connected to said top frame extendingdownwards thereof, said bag clip having first and second adjacentwindings, one of said first and second adjacent windings being angled inrespect to the other of said first and second adjacent windings, saidangling of said adjacent windings creating a crossover between saidfirst and second adjacent windings with said crossover providing apinching contact between said first and second adjacent windings toconnect the bag to said bag clip.
 2. The bag clip connection of claim 1characterized in that there are two crossovers between said adjacentwindings.
 3. The bag clip connection of claim 1 characterized by theaddition of an extension section, and said extension section connectingsaid bag clip to said top frame.
 4. The bag clip connection of claim 1characterized in that each of said first and second adjacent windingshave an extension section and both of said extension sections connectingsaid bag clip to said top frame.
 5. The bag clip connection of claim 4characterized in that both of said extension sections are located in asingle plane in respect to said top frame.
 6. The bag clip connection ofclaim 1 characterized in that said bag clip is connected to said topframe directly via one of said two adjacent windings.
 7. The bag clipconnection of claim 1 characterized in that said two adjacent windingseach have a downward tip and said downward tips being spaced from eachother so as to create an opening therebetween.
 8. The bag clipconnection of claim 1 characterized in that said adjacent windings arecircular.
 9. The bag clip connection of claim 1 characterized in thatsaid adjacent windings are not circular.
 10. A bag clip connection for awire rack for holding bags, the bag clip connection comprising the wirerack including a top frame and a side to support the top frame inrespect to a ground surface, said top frame being substantiallyperpendicular to the side of said wire rack, four bag clips, each saidbag clip having first and second windings and an extension section, eachsaid extension section being fixedly connected to said top frame withsaid bag clip extending downwards thereof respectively, one of saidfirst and second windings of each said bag clip being angled in respectto the other of said first and second windings of each said bag clip,each said angling of said adjacent windings creating two crossoversbetween said first and second windings respectively, said two crossoversproviding two pinching contacts between said first and second adjacentwindings of each said bag clip, and said two pinching contacts forholding the bag to each said bag clip.
 11. The bag clip connection ofclaim 10 characterized in that said first and second adjacent windingsof each said bag clip have an extension section and both of saidextension sections connecting each said bag clip to said top frame. 12.The bag clip connection of claim 11 characterized in that both of saidextension sections are located in a single plane in respect to said topframe.
 13. The bag clip connection of claim 10 characterized in thatsaid two adjacent windings each have a downward tip of each said bagclip and said downward tips being spaced from each other so as to createan opening therebetween.
 14. The bag clip connection of claim 10characterized in that said adjacent windings are circular.
 15. The bagclip connection of claim 10 characterized in that said adjacent windingsare not circular.
 16. A bag clip connection for a wire rack for holdingbags, the bag clip connection comprising the wire rack including a topframe and a side to support the top frame in respect to a groundsurface, said top frame being substantially perpendicular to the side ofsaid wire rack, four bag clips, each said bag clip having first andsecond adjacent windings, each said bag clip having two extensionsections, the first of said two extension sections extending off of saidfirst winding and the second of said two extension sections of each saidbag clip extending off of said second winding respectively, said firstand second of said two said extension sections being fixedly connectedto said top frame with each said bag clip extending downwards thereofwith said first and said second windings being spaced from and beneathsaid to frame, one of said first and second windings of each said bagclip being angled in respect to the other of said first and secondwindings, said angling of said adjacent windings creating two crossoverstherebetween, said two crossovers providing two pinching contactsbetween said first and second adjacent windings of each said bag clip,said two pinching contacts for holding the bag to each of said four bagclips, said adjacent windings of each said bag clip having downwardtips, and said angling of said adjacent windings of each said bag clipalso spacing said downward tips to create an opening therebetween. 17.The bag clip connection of claim 16 characterized in that each of saidfirst and second adjacent windings of each said bag clip have anextension section and both of said extension sections connecting eachsaid bag clip to said top frame respectively.
 18. The bag clipconnection of claim 16 characterized in that said adjacent windings ofeach said bag clip are circular.
 19. The bag clip connection of claim 16characterized in that said adjacent windings of each said bag clip arenot circular.
 20. A method for constructing a bag clip connection for awire rack for holding bags, the wire rack including a top frame and aside to support the top frame in respect to a ground surface with thetop frame being substantially perpendicular to the side of the wirerack, said method comprising forming a bag clip having first and secondadjacent windings, with one of the first and second adjacent windingsbeing angled in respect to the other to create a crossover between thesuch adjacent windings to provide for a pinching contact between thefirst and second adjacent windings to connect the bag to the wire rackwhen such bag clip is connected to the top frame thereof.